Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » George Browning House

Taiwan: the Jubilee of Life in Aurora Public Library, Stepping Outside The Box

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 03:14:13 +0000

On my last visit to the Aurora Public Library I still wasn’t able to convince Matthew to go on the elevator. Last time we took an elevator, Matthew’s first impression going down to the basement by accident wasn’t what he expected.

As usual we did our regular routine – played I Spy games on the computer, visited children’s reading area and borrowed one DVD. But first we took some pictures of the unique Taiwan: the Jubilee of Life picturesque exhibit at the Colleen Abbott Gallery. The display was vibrant, vivid and rich in Taiwanese culture.

Taiwan: the Jubilee of Life Display in the Aurora Public Library

In the last couple of months I have been experimenting a lot with black and white photography so I turned this Taiwan photo showcase into millions shades of gray.

However, that does not changes the impression one can experience from the images regardless of color. The natural wonders and cultural expression in the form of art, the history, the festivals shows how rich the Taiwanese culture and heritage is.

Taiwan: the Jubilee of Life Display in the Aurora Public Library

However, I must say that it was very intriguing to see Aurora Public Library to step outside the box and showcase something different and unique – to spread the awareness about the Taiwanese culture to further promote Taiwanese tourism for Canadians.

So you know the Taiwan: the Jubilee of Life will be on exhibit in the Colleen Abbott Gallery (from March 25th) until June 1st, 2013. This reminded me also the first time I came to the Aurora Public Library and I looked for the Colleen Abbott Gallery. I didn’t realize then that it was just a wall on the second floor. I was looking for the room.

Taiwan: the Jubilee of Life Display in the Aurora Public Library

As always, I enjoyed looking out the window from the second floor towards the Yonge Street and snapping photos. I always tend to find something different. Last drastic change was demolition of the George Browning house.

This time I found this, just looking from this angle I cannot figure out who is moving, the spa salon or prefect spaces.

Looking Out the Windows, Yonge Street, Town of Aurora

I almost forgot, I also spotted this book on the shelf in the youth section when passing by – The Kissing Diary, a novel by Judith Caseley. Well, how little I knew about kissing when I was a youth myself so let see what the book will tell me how it was like. Yes I borrowed it as well and I am going to read it.

Town Of Aurora In Paintings, 50th Annual Juried Art Show

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:04:20 +0000

I was glad to see more of Aurora during the 50th Annual Juried Art Show and Sale presented by the Town of Aurora in association with the Society of York Region Artists.

George Browning House, Hillary House, Aurora Cultural Centre, Train Station and Vic’s Shoe Repair among others were on display.

George Browning House, A Tuscan Villa in Aurora by Christine Valentini

Unfortunate, unfortunate and unfortunate that is, that we were not able to preserve the George Browning House, but it is fortunate that we were able at least preserve it in paintings and photography. When I spotted the Browning House in the corner I immediately thought of Christine Valentini who I got to know via emails – right on, it was her art.

I was a bit in the rush that day so I did not all the names. So if you see your painting or art here let me know your name and I will gladly add your name to your photographed art work.

The George Browning House by Samantha Jones

The Historic Hillary House by Ingrid Vija Brooks

Aurora Railroad Station by Irma Gutsch

Vic's Shoe Repair. Aurora 50th Annual Juried Art Show

Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change, Milner

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:18:22 +0000

Aurora continues to change day by day. Continues to grow. We will never be a small town on the map and we will never be a population of four thousand of people.

Going about twelve months back, it all began with saving the Petch Log house. On my part that was great experience to explore the deteriorating log house before the restoration and to document my thoughts here.

Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change

Then search for more information about the town led me to Elizabeth Milner’s book, Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change. Being on the photo journey through the town in the past couple of years, the book is a jewel in my pocket.

So what that you were not born between those years. How can you relate? Of course you can relate. Milner’s detailed assembly of 20 years of town’s records will lead you to years before 1945 and beyond 1965. Her compelling book is actually very relative to the past and the future of the Aurora. On the end it is a book about the people of Aurora who made a difference.

Petch Log House

Last year about this time difference was made, Katherine Belrose came forward and Petch log house was saved, probably restored by now, yet future location unknown.

Nokiidaa Trail Link, St. John's sideroad, Aurora

‘The Anglican Sisters of St. John gave St. John’s Sideroad its name when their convent was built in 1931. In 1940s and early 1950s, the Convent was a busy place. The Sisters cared for girls with special needs such as: Downs Syndrome, autism and other problems. …

They came each Sunday to morning service at Trinity Anglican Church, bringing the young girls for whom they cared. They sat at the front, on the north side of the church, under the pulpit. The sisters sat erect, silent and still in their penguin outfits. Usually their wards were silent and still too, but occasionally there was a strange noise wiggle, or turning head that was quickly corrected.‘, 1958, Milner, page 94.

Nokiidaa Trail link boardwalk of St. John’s sideroad is now established and well visited trail.

Wells Street Public School Sold

Wells Street Public School got sold last year. Must mention that Elizabeth Milner was a grade nine student at this school for one year from September 1951 to April 1952.

Yonge Street, What Changed Here?

Next time you pass by Yonge Street and Tyler Street intersection you will notice change, the new commercial and residential complex. On the other hand one might say – the downtown traffic increased.

The Auroran, Sold

‘James Murray cut a ribbon at the old Post Office on Yonge Street in September of 1960 to mark the beginning of door-to-door mail delivery in Aurora.‘, 1960, Milner, page 167.

The old Post Office on Yonge Street is also home of our local newspaper The Auroran that was started by Ron Wallace and recently sold.

Once IGA Store, Now Nothing Yet

‘In 1961, the town’s IGA offered steak at seventy-nine cents a pound and prime rib roasts at sixty-five cents a pound. Oranges were fifty-nine cents a dozen and a cauliflower sold for twenty-nine cents.

Usually cakes were made from scratch, but if the housewife wanted to cheat with a newfangled cake mix, they were selling at two for thirty-three cents. That’s how it was in 1961 at the IGA Foodliner.‘, 1961, Milner, page 175.

Recent closing of the Foodland grocery store was total surprise and shock to the seniors living close by. It is very much unknown who will move in, but last week I read Banner and it was noted that the building was on the list for Youth centre. It may not happen, there were other competing locations.

George T. Browning House, Demolished

The proposed conversion of the Browning house to Montessori school didn’t go to well and it was decided to demolish the house. The Browning house was demolished couple of days before Easter.

Tree Trimming, Yonge Street from the Aurora Public Library

‘In the December third Banner, letters to the editor showed that Aurora people were upset about changes in Aurora. One citizen complained about the trees coming down and the land being stripped down to bare clay near one of the best streams in town.‘, 1959, Milner, page 152.

We continue to cut the trees. Some needs to be cut or trimmed, but some were not given any mercy.

Isaac Petch Farm House, Wellington Street, To Be Demolished

‘Highway 404, the Don Mills Parkway extension, was proceeding north and would pass three miles east of Aurora. John B. Wilkes, an engineer from the Department of Highways, spoke to the Board of Trade and assured them that Highway 404 would reduce traffic through the town by one third to one half. The first section of Highway 404 opened early in July.‘, 1961, Milner, page 170.

Highway 404 most likely will not change, but there is no future for the old and lonely Isaac Petch Farm house on Wellington Street – it will be demolished.

Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change, Milner

Elizabeth Milner in the book’s Afterward wrote: ‘I did not want to write a book about a “wonderful Aurora” of the past. This is often the kind of local history that results from reminiscences. The town was a good place to grow up. The people were good people. They helped one another, supported churches and social institutions as well as the needy in other provinces and countries; but everything was not perfect.

Disputes about having a liquor store in town, the use of open land, the building of a shopping centre, Town Council decisions and other incidences might seem trivial to the reader, but they were heated issues at the time.‘

Perhaps somethings just don’t change in our town – we continue with heated issues to make the difference.

George T. Browning House Not To Be Continued, The Last Moments

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 03:53:50 +0000

I came back this morning to check on the George T. Browning house. The demolishing was moving slow on Monday and slow on Tuesday morning, but when I came back on Wednesday morning with Matthew the house was leveled to the ground and most of the brick was removed from the property.

So what do we have left of the house – history, memories and photos. It is official there is no George T. Browning house anymore (demolished on April 3rd, 2012, most likely later in the day).

Below are the last moment photos of the house taken on Tuesday morning.

George T. Browning House, Bricked Middle Window

George T. Browning House, Outside Decor

Thoughts … may be if the Browning family kept the Italianate/Tuscan villa style home in the family for longer period of time things would be different today, perhaps restored and occupied.

George T. Browning House, Decor Close Up

More of the past … if you want to see more of George T. Browning house look at the Google Map Street View for more. Probably still occupied when Google did the shooting back in May 2009.

George T. Browning House, Brick Decor

Sad but we must accept the change, nothing can be done anymore – the house is gone.

… And this is after.

George T. Browning House Demolished

George T. Browning Pile of Bricks

On the way from the site I got a special request from Matthew to visit the library. How can I refuse his request? It makes me happy to see him enjoying his visits. Greeting librarians and striking conversation about Superman or Iron Man, playing on the computer, checking out books and DVDs, buying his own treat is his regular routine.

As I sat beside Matthew when he was playing on the computer I remembered about photos I took few months ago from the library window of the George T. Browning house – Somethings That Always Change In Our Library, The Photography Exhibit. Well today not only I noticed that the art exhibit changed but also there was no more George T. Browning house in the window.

From The Library Window

Not To Be Continued.

George T. Browning Yellow Brick House, Any Time Soon Will Be Gone

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:47:10 +0000

Once upon the time, more like in 1886, George Thomas Browning acquired on Yonge Street one acre property that included an attractive frame cottage at the head of the lane behind the present house. That attractive frame cottage is not there anymore.

George T. Browning House, North Side on the Back

George T. Browning House, North Side on the Front

According to historical notes and findings the George Browning house, the Italianate/Tuscan villa style, was probably in place by 1889 and it was once a yellow brick house.

Front Facade, Red but Yellow Brick Under

Powerful words were once written in the report of the Heritage Advisory Committee …

George Browning House, Back

‘The George Browning House at 15086-88 Yonge Street is a significant contributor to the character of Yonge Street. It is a distinguishing structure of substantial size that is given even greater visual importance by its commanding position well above the present level of Yonge Street and, on its north side, at the edge of the natural and man-made valley of the stream which crosses Yonge at this point.

It is also one of the punctuation points of one of the very few surviving stretches of dwellings on Yonge Street in Aurora.‘ – Heritage Advisory Committee Report No. PL09-078, Oct-05-2009, pg 2-3.

George T. Browning House, Two Entrances With Bay Window On Each Side

Not anymore. Standing there unoccupied for years, not looked after – deteriorated. The house became not fix-able, not repair-able, not invite-able and demolish-able to say it at last.

George T. Browning House, Not Invite-able

The house of George T. Browning housed many. It started with Browning family, the family of builders. In March 1913 the house was sold to the Joseph Noble family. The Nobles sold number 15086 later in the year of 1926 in land exchange to Oscar and Ida Klinck.

Were the new owners, the Klinck family occupying the Browning house – who knows? Presumably not. There were tenants though and some new owners in 1935.

But it was again in 1974 (yes that many years later) when the number 15086 got a new owner, this time Michael Evans who actually lived on the premises of the house for the longest time. The Evan’s family operates successful old-fashioned hardware store on 15236 Yonge Street.

On the side note it would interesting to know if the Evans Park on Bayview Street, North of Wellington Street is named after Mr. Evans.

And speaking of parks, nature or trees, whatever happened to the tree in front of the Browning house?

A Tree Trunk In Front of the George Browning House

Demolition of the house is currently in progress … to be continued.

Wells Street Public School, A Closer Look, Yes The Inside

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:34:58 +0000

I rolled my sleeves up and started to type an e-mail. If you don’t try then you have a zero chance of getting something, but if you do then at least you have fifty percent of getting yes as the answer. And the worst – no. I believe they teach this in school.

Wells Street Public School, Inside

After few days I did receive a reply to my request from Joanne Birch, President, Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts. ‘We’d be pleased to allow you to take some posterity photos’ – she wrote.

This is where I got nervous and excited at the same time and knew that something will go wrong. The same day I was going to meet with Ms. Birch my camera flash got jammed. Lucky me it was just the camera flash. Even after little hiccup I was able to take many photos – inside, below, outside and from the top.

Wells Street Public School, A Classroom

It was another great photo journey through our town’s amazing structures, just like the time I had an opportunity to photograph the Petch Log house last summer. One of the things I always keep in mind – something that cannot be preserved as a material can always be preserved in photos.

We are very fortunate that both the Petch Log house and the Wells Street Public School are not going to be demolished this time.

Wells Street Public School, Classroom Wall Lockers

Like many of us I was too skeptical what would be the faith of the school once it was acquired by the developer. A prefect example is the George T. Browning house – there will be no house.

However, after meeting with Ms. Birch I cannot emphasize enough that the Wells Street Public School is in the good hands especially to know that her company do specializes in converting heritage buildings.

Wells Street Public School, Teacher's Rooms

But it was more her passion for that kind of work that I admired. She herself gave me two hour grand tour of the ins and outs of the school and because of her patience I was able to capture many interesting details.

Some of the interesting features to note in this post’s pictures are:

The jade color scheme through out the school; the 3 piece doors (2 doors & 1 window on top) to the auditorium that will be preserved; built-in wall units in the teachers rooms; interesting design of the in-classroom coat lockers with one common link mechanism that opens all the doors at the same time; and probably one of the original squeaky staircase and railing leading up to teacher’s restroom.

Wells Street Public School, Staircase

But that is not all, at least not in this post. And before Schools Out, note that last month the Wells Street Public School received the heritage designation plaque.

Wells Street Public School, Schools Out

Sunday Break, Unfortunate Endings And The New Beginnings

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 05:05:55 +0000

Sunday photo showcase. All posts titled Sunday Break are photo(s) only and a quote. Posted photos may not be necessary the most current one and as always it is all about the Town of Aurora. Enjoy!

George T. Browning House, Yonge Street, Aurora

New Apartments, Yonge & Tyler Street, Aurora

‘I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle and end.’ ~ Gilda Radner

Somethings That Always Change In Our Library, The Photography Exhibit

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:05:08 +0000

It was my third attempt this month to take photo of the photography exhibit at our library. First time Matthew needed more attention, second time I forgot my camera and third time there were too many people hovering around.

I am assuming that wasn’t just the cold weather that brought people to the library on that day.

I was told that I can take pictures as long as there are no people on them. So last Thursday I followed the rules and my photographic mission was not accomplished. May be one day I will ask for the photo shoot permission pass or may be it is more fun to be a silent observer.

No photos of the exhibit. Then let me just talk about it. Helen did it again. I wonder if she is trying to tease me as it is my favorite subject.

In addition to amazing display of the photography books I was amazed to see old, I mean very old cameras. It is interesting to see how photographic technology changed since then. I must say a lot. Looking at the collection of old leather bound rectangular boxes with lenses in them is hard to compare to what we have today and much better. One point in time those rectangular boxes were valuable to the photographers as digital cameras are now.

Across Yonge Street, View from APL, Aurora

The very first camera’s will always have historical value. Any digital camera you own these days will only have recyclable value. The camera technology changes too fast to have any historical value. It is always the first invention that counts.

We still don’t have active museum in Aurora, but I am glad that some artifacts are being displayed. Something is always better than nothing. I have not been inside the Aurora Cultural Centre yet, but why not have showcase there as well – it does not have to be all about art. And may be some at the Aurora Town Hall – hallways are spacious enough to accommodate a similar display as in library.

That day I allowed Matthew to play on the computer with children’s activities. I myself couldn’t resist to snap pictures of the winter weather at the Yonge Street and the George Browning house framed by Aurora library walls. It is a shame that there will be no George Browning house one day.

George Browning House from APL, Aurora

There was something else I wanted to look at. Unfortunately I arrived late. The second floor opposite to the elevator has a wall that displays art. In the past a colorful collection of paintings always caught my eye, yet I never made to the other side to look at it closely. Every painting was different yet had the same theme, same kind of selection of colors.

Art Display, Inside APL, Aurora

Well that was gone too. New display is interesting one, but I couldn’t figure out if it belonged to one artist or many artists.

On the side note, I do take books out to read but while I am in the library I like to look around. Last time I actually used the self serve check out and I concluded that I am just too slow.

Aurora Strategic Plan, Focus On How, Less On What, Hint Do Heritage Retrofits

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:18:52 +0000

Sometimes it is easier to start from scratch rather to continue with the existing system. In my mind I think we as the community really need to focus how we are going to make our Aurora a better place to live in the next 20 years and it is up to the town to lead the project and provide us with the results of the strategic plan that is going to be implemented.

The idea of the strategic plan is a wonderful idea. Too many ideas for the strategic plan are not. It is easy to say we want this and that, but how we to do it is the hardest job.

Hillary House, Aurora

I wrote this post couple of weeks ago, Sheppard House Green Face Lift, Home To Windfall Ecology Centre. Let me talk about this again in the Aurora Strategic plan context. The Sheppard House is one of the heritage houses in Aurora and currently is undergoing a heritage retrofit program to reduce its energy consumption by about 75% while preserving its heritage aspect. The project is led by the Windfall Ecology Centre, the environmental non profit organization who is also residing in the Sheppard House.

I have educated myself more on their heritage retrofit program reading this excellent detailed 25 page assembled Guidebook.

On the side note, in this guidebook in addition to the Sheppard House photo (the model work), there is a photo of the Hillary House, a primary suspect for my recommendation.

Hillary House, Aurora

Aurora has a very rich history that needs preservation and regular maintenance. Aurora needs to fully engage the mentioned above heritage retrofit program. This item is a must for the Aurora strategic plan.

The recent two sad stories hovering in the town, the George Browning house potential demolition plan (a must read post 100 Watts : The George T. Browning House by Chris Watts) and Hillary House potential six hundred thousand refurbishment costs. The Hillary House was a total surprise to me. I hope these numbers are not just guess-estimated.

Hillary House, Aurora

Well, the strategic plan does not starts tomorrow. We must think about it now. Unfortunately, this written now will be yesterday’s now, and we are already a day behind.

Not sure if the George Browning house has a future, unless it is relocated but then the true heritage aspect will be broken. However, the heritage retrofit program would be excellent for Hillary House. But then would that be an additional cost to the six hundred thousand? Something I don’t know.

You can read the guidebook document yourself because underlines lot of excellent environmental benefits, not to mention the key message – it will preserve and conserve. Technologies are available and program is available. It may be experimental but I believe it is doable.

Hillary House, Aurora

So going back to the beginning of this post. It is always easy to start something from scratch, but of course if there is nothing in place. However, if we do have something in place such as heritage building and we up to for demolition (example Browning House), we often forget to think about or completely ignore the fact how much energy and resources it takes to demolish the old and build new standing structure.

Now we have an option, the retrofit program. It is now or tomorrow up to Town of Aurora to engage and may be offer additional incentives to the heritage building owners to drive the encouragement.